Bowling pin setting machine



July 3, 1951 W. C. BROEKHUYSEN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 9, 1945 INVENTOR WILLIAM C. BRQEKHUYSEN BY S'WATTORNEY 0 @Q QK \NN NNN 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Thur llllllllllllll 1! W. C.BROEKHUYSEN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE July 3, 1951 Filed Nov. 9, 1945UYSEN ATTORNEY WILLiAM C. BROEKH BY No bNw WWW Wm QQN Nb 0 July 3, 1951w. c. BROEKHUYSEN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE 5 Sheets$heet 4 Filed NOV.9, 1945 shm 9Q,

O. BROEKHUYSEN INVENTOR QM P A ORNEY u y 1951 w. c. BROEKHUYSEN2,559,274

BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 53g F 2 I ,L TIL 406 I ||||m 4,26 gull-"WT FIRST BALL I SECOND BALL I .i7. *7.

FIG. 7

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L ATTORNEY Patented July 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOWLING PINSETTING MACHINE William C. Broekhuysen, Garden City, N. Y., assignor toAmerican Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New JerseyApplication November 9, 1945, Serial No. 627,605

19 Claims.

This invention relates to bowling pin setting machines and moreparticularly to completely automatic bowling pin setting machineswherein the operations are electrically controlled in accordance withconditions arising incident to the playing of the game and the operationof the machine is controlled in accordance with the number of pinsknocked down by each ball of a frame rolled along the bed at the pinsstanding on the pin supporting bed of the alley.

In bowling pin setting machines, one of the main problems is to insurethat all operations will be automatically carried out as quickly aspossible and that rules prescribed by the American Bowling Congress willbe fully complied with so that all setting, removal of fallen pins ordeadwood, and other positioning of pins will compare with the presentday setting of pins by pin boys.

, It is also highly desirable that the speed of setting and resettingpins will be at least equal to or better than that achieved by pin boys.It l is also desirable that costs be maintained at a minimum. Automaticbowling pin setting machines in the past have been highly complicatedand expensive machines to construct and operate, and in the mainrelatively slow in operation.

According to the present invention I have provided a machine in whichthe construction is simplified and the expenses decreased because of theinclusion of completely automatic electric controls and electricallyoperated mechanisms which result in quickly and accurately determiningthe result from each ball of a frame thrown. I have also providedimproved electrical control mechanism for an automatic pin settingmachine in which strikes, spares, less than ten pins, and any otherconditions arising incident to play are automatically and electricallytaken into consideration and the machine controlled accordingly duringits operation from frame to frame as the play progresses.

The machine control constituting my invention utilizes standard electricequipment such as relays and switches instead of intricate and expensivemechanical units so that the cost of produc tion of such machines ismaterially lowered without reducing in any way the efiiciency ofoperation of the machine.

The invention also includes the use of electrically operated andcontrolled mechanisms which are substantially faster in operation thanthe slower operating mechanical units heretofore used in machines ofthis type so that the rate of play is increased appreciably. Hence amore flexibly operated machine is provided. For instance, the machine ofthe invention makes it possible to automatically swing over from thefirst ball of a frame to the second ball of a frame in the event that afoul is made on the first ball when the machine is standing still sothat in effect a strike cycle is set up and then mechanism isautomatically set into operation for the second ball cycle of the sameframe, which would be relatively more difiicult in machines of the priorart.

The machine of the present invention also consists in an organizedelectrically controlled mechanism which facilitates interconnection withauxiliary electrically controlled mechanism for carrying out specialfunctions such as foul detecting on the first and second balls, whichcontribute to the general efliciency and fool-proof operation of themachine.

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to provide an improvedelectrically controlled automatic bowling pin setting machine controlwhich is capable of rapidly and efiiciently controlling the machineoperation after the throwing of each ball of a frame for setting andresetting the pins in accordance with conditions arising relative to thethrowing of each ball of a frame.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved automaticbowling pin setting machine having fully electrically operated controlmechanism for carrying out the designed function of the machine with aminimum of delay or waste of time.

My invention also consists in the provision of an improved automaticbowling pin setting machine utilizing electrically operated controlswhich eliminate relatively intricate and expensive mechanical mechanismsthereby contributing to the efiiciency and speed of operation of themachine with a concurrent reduction in the cost of construction andoperation of the machine.

The invention also consists in the provision of foul control mechanismwhich automatically solves the problem of operating the machine properlyWhenever a foul is made. For instance, the foul control operates in sucha manner that when a foul is made on the first ball of a frame theoperation of the machine is automatically so controlled that a new setof pins is placed on the alley pending throwing of the second ball ofthe same frame. A signal, such as a light, advises the player that hehas fouled. If a foul is made on the second ball, a signal informs theplayer of that fact, but the machine operation continues as for a secondball. In this latter case, however, if all pins are knocked down by thesecond ball, the spare light does not go on.

The invention also consists of the provision of mechanism for solvingthe problem of controlling the operation of the machine if after a ballhas been thrown, especially the first ball of a frame, one.or more pinshave walked or been moved, either by the ball or another pin, so thatthe table is prevented from moving to its lower limit and hence anystanding pins are out of the range of operation of the resetter cups.This mechanism consists of means for incapacitating the sweep andstopping the machine. Any fallen pins can be removed manually. Themachine is then restarted and continues operation in its properoperative cycle.

It is an added object of the invention to provide against damage to themachine or breakage of parts if or when the sweep and guard areprevented from moving into operative position adjacent the alley becauseof the presence of fallen pins therebeneath. In such case the machine isstopped. It is restarted in its proper operative cycle after removal ofthe obstructing pin or pins.

In establishments employing automatic bowling pin setting machines, itmay be desirable to determine automatically the number of games playedper machine. For this reason there is provided in the control mechanisma magnetic counter which registers the number of sets of pins placed onthe alley. A predetermined number of sets of pins can be set toconstitute a game. The control automatically takes into considerationfouls, and if a foul is made on the first ball of a frame, no count isregistered for that particular new set of pins.

The invention also consists in the provision of signals, such as lights,which indicate to the player the number of the particular ball beingthrown during the play of each frame. In this manner the player alwaysknows whether the first or second ball is being played.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, and form a part of this specification, and .in which likecharacters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bowling pin setting machine embodyingthe invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a partial plan view of the machine;

Figure 4 is an electrical wiring diagram of the electrical control ofthe pin setting machine;

Figure'5 is a diagrammatic development of the electrical relay controlcams;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the spotting cups on the pinsetting table, with parts broken away to illustrate a suitableelectrical contact provided in each cup;

Figure '7 is a side elevation of one of the respotting cups carried bythe pin setting table with parts broken away to show the electricalcontact provided in each cup; and

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view of the same taken on line 8-8 ofFigure '7. v

In the embodiment selected for purposes of illustration, the machine isdriven by a motor i (Figure 2) provided with a pulley ID on which runs abelt I2 continuously driving a pulley l4 mounted on a shaft IS. A worml8 secured to shaft l6 meshes with a worm wheel keyed to a shaft 22 towhich is attached the solenoid operated main clutch K1 of the machine.Clutch K1, which may be of the well known Bliss type, is connected withthe hub of a gear 24 loosely mounted on shaft 22. Gear 24 meshes withgear '26 (Figures 2 and 3) secured to the main cam shaft 28 of themachine. Cam shaft 28 is supported by suitable bearings mounted on theframe of the machine.

The constantly rotating shaft l6 carries a sprocket 29 (Figure 2) onwhich runs a chain 3% driving a sprocket 32 loosely mounted on shaft 34.The hub of sprocket 32 (Figure 1) is provided with a solenoid operatedone-revolution clutch K2 which may be of the Bliss type which engages ordisengages sprocket 32 from shaft 34, thereby controlling the drive ofthe pin distributing mechanism of the machine.

The mechanism for handling and distributing pins is of the same generalconstruction as and similar in operation to that shown in Rundell Patent2,388,707 issued November 13, 1945, for Bowling Pin Setter. Thismechanism consists of a transverse, ascending conveyor E which carriesupwardly pins which are removed by apron A from the pit and dischargedinto chamber 3 at the rear of bumper W and discharges pins one by oneinto a rectifying and aligning conveyor extending from a point adjacentthe top or discharge end of conveyor E to a delivery point adjacentmagazine M. Conveyor E is actuated at the proper time in the cycle ofoperations by a sprocket 36 mounted on shaft 34 to deliver pins fromchamber 3 to conveyor C which in turn delivers them to magazine orstorage M. Magazine M or the loading station of the machine includes apair of spaced rotatable spirals 38. Conveyor C consists of a positivelydriven belt 64 having its active lap spaced from and extendingsubstantially parallel to a stationary guide member 69. Each spiralcarries a sprocket 40 driven by a chain 42 from a sprocket 44 fixed toshaft 46.

Shaft 43 carries bevel gear 48 (Figure 1) meshing with bevel gear 53mounted on loading mechanism control shaft 34. Chain 42 also drivessprocket 52 mounted on one end of a horizontal shaft 54. The other endof the latter has secured thereto a bevel gear 56 (Figure 2) meshingwith bevel gear 58 mounted on a vertical shaft 69. A belt 64 running ona pulley 62 secured to the lower end of shaft 80 and pulley 63 on shaft65 supported by bracket fill is the driven part of 7 loading rackcontacts or conveyor C.

Adjacent one of the spirals 38 are located eleven switches 56 (Figure 3)which are normally open when a predetermined number of pins P, eleven inthe illustration shown, is in the loading station (see also Figure 4)Pins P are lifted out of the magazine or loading station M by means often individual grippers 68 suspended from a supporting frame N similarin construction to that described in the above referred to RundellPatent 2,388,707.

The pin setter table locking mechanism is provided for the purpose oflocking the table in the spotting as well as respotting position. Forthis purpose integral with the gear 92 is a disk 93 provided with twoslots 95 spaced apart with which in either spotting or respottingposition engages the nose of a spring mounted lock arm 97 which ispivoted on one of the pin setter table guide shoes 86. Lock arm 91 isprovided with a control arm 99 which carries on its free end a roller10!, which when contacted and depressed by a control finger I03 causesthe nose of lock arm 91 to disengage from the slot 95 of disk 33. Uponrelease the spring mounted lock arm rides on the periphery of thecontrol disk 93 until a slot 95 contacts the nose of said lock arm and aspring effects an engagement of the latter with said disk. The controlfinger I23 is mounted on a short shaft I25 supported by a suitablebearing bracket attached to the frame of the machine. Shaft I535 isactuated by a lever I01 which by means of an adjustable link I09 isconnected to an arm III mounted on a short shaft H3 to which is alsosecured a cam lever II5 which by means of a cam roller II I engages witha cam track 14.

The up and down motion of frame N and grippers 68 carried thereby iseffected by the motions of a bell crank type cam lever It carrying anarm II. A cam follower I2 on arm I I runs in a suitable track in cam '54loosely mounted on main cam shaft 28. The hub of cam I is provided witha suitable solenoid operated one-revolution clutch K4, such as a wellknown Bliss clutch, which effects an engagement or disengagement of camI4 with or from rotating main cam shaft 28. Arm I3 of lever IE3 isconnected by link IE to arm 18 which imparts the vertical up and downmotion to frame N and pin grippers 68. Cam lever 'II] is loosely mountedon cam lever supporting shaft 80 supported at each end b suitablebearing brackets 82 secured to the frame of the machine.

Cam 14 is also provided with two additional cam tracks. One of thesetracks is designed to effect the turning operation of the pin settertable T at the proper time in the sequence of operations of the machine.The other cam track controls the above mentioned locking mechanism ofpin setter table T. These cam tracks are shown in detail in co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 636,737, filed December 22, 1945, by G. J.Schmidt for Bowling Pin Setting Machine, Since they form no specificpart of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.It will be evident from the foregoing that the clutch: ing andunclutching of cam It with or to shaft 28 due to the operation ofsolenoid actuated clutch K4, controls the up and down movement of frameN and the turning of table T and the operation of the locking mechanismtherefor.

The pin setter-resctter table T illustrated may be of the same generalconstruction as that shown in Nejedly patent, No. 2,298,718, grantedOctober 13, 1942. This table is provided with support members 90 whichare mounted loosely for turning movement on hollow shaft 84. The ends ofshaft 82 are secured to shoes 86 which are slidably supported invertical guide channels 88 forming a part of the frame work of themachine.

The gear 92 formed integrally on one of the support members 98 (Figure2) meshes with a gear segment 96 pivotally mounted on a stud 96 securedto a bearing plate 98 attached to one of the vertical guide channels 83,Gear segment M is provided with an actuating arm IIIII (Figure 1)connected by rod I22 with one arm of lever NM. The other arm of leverIEl l carries a cam follower I06 which engages a cam track Illla in camM. The rocking motion imparted by lever IM to gear segment 94 effects aturning of the pin setter table T 180 back and forth in the directionsindicated by arrow AA (Figure 1). Table T carries on one side ten pinspotting cups H0 and on theopposite side ten individually lat- "erallymovable respotting cups I I2.

The construction of the setter cups III] and resetting cups H2 isgenerally the same as those disclosed in Rundell patent, No. 2,310,996and Schmidt patent, No. 2,283,613, with certain changes in detail. Pingrippers II of the supporting cups III] are all identical inconstruction and only one is described. Grippers II4 are actuated byfluid means, such as suction, which is supplied thereto by ducts I I6connecting the several pin supporting cups III) from a source of supplyconduit in which is mounted a magnetoperated suction control valve 343of conventional design supported on the table T. Each suction cup III]is provided with a normally closed pin actuated contact (Figure 6) sothat when a pin is delivered by a transfer gripper 68, the contact H8 isforced open. Obviously, if desired, normally open contacts could beused. In the illustrated embodiment, all contacts II8 (as shown inFigure 4;) are in multiple and all contacts II 8 must be opened by pinsin order to prevent clutch K1 from being disengaged, thereby stoppingthe machine.

The respotting cups II2 on the opposite side of table T are alsosupplied with suction through an interconnected seriesof conduits I20(Figure 3) from a source of supply conduit in which is mounted a magnetoperated suction control valve 339 of conventional. design secured totable T. Suction valves 339 and 3 33 are connected to a conduit I22(Figure 3) leading to a suitable source of suction such as a suctionpump of known design (not shown).

Each respotting cup H2 is provided with a switch operating member 32c.When the setterresetter table T is lowered into pin lifting positionadjacent the alley after the throwing of a ball, any standing pins onthe alley will cause a closing of contacts 323 (Figure '7) in the samegeneral manner as disclosed in Nejedly patent, No. 2,298,718, issuedOctober 13, 1942.

All other mechanisms of the machine, such as the sweep F and associatedguard G, the pin lifting pit apron A, ball cradle L, the means foreffecting the down and up movement of table T toand from the alley, andthe means for effecting the back and forth movement of pin grippers 68on frame N are actuated by means of suitable cams secured to the maincam shaft 28, as described hereinafter.

The operations of frame N and transfer grippers 68 carried thereby areresolved into two distinct motions: the back and forth movement of thegrippers 88 between magazine M and the pin delivery position abovesetter table T, and the up and down movement of the frame N andthegrippers 68 for removing pins from the magazine M and for deliveringthe same into the spotter-cups I I!) on the table T.

The back and forth motion of the pin grippers 68 on transfer frame N iseffected by means of cam lever I24 provided with cam follower I26engaging a suitable cam track in cam I23 mounted on cam shaft 28. Camlever I24 is provided with an arm I30 to which is pivotally connectedagear rack I 32 engaging with a gear I33 loosely mounted on stud I34supported in a suitable bracket secured to bracket 82 on the side frame.

Gear I33 is formed integral with a gear I36 meshing with gear I33integral with sprocket!!! driving a chain running on a sprocket I44 onshaft 146. It will be seen that the rotation of ca'm I28 and itscoaction with cam follower I26 on ,I I9. After frame N has been moveddownwardly to effect the delivery of pins held by grippers 68 into cupsI I6, grippers 68 are returned to aligned arrangement adjacent magazineM where a dwell in the cam I28 positions them until in the cycle ofoperation of the machine a new set of pins is to be removed from themagazine and transferred to the setter table T.

A detailed description of the structure and operation of the grippers 68on frame N is not deemed necessary in the present case since it isdescribed and claimed in co-pending application, Serial No. 636,737,filed by Gottfried J. Schmidt.

The movement of table T to and from the pin supporting bed of the alleyfor setting and/or resetting pins is effected by means of a cam I48which as shown is formed integrally with cam I28. Cam I48 is tracked bya follower I50 on lever I52, which lever is fulcrumed on shaft 86.

One arm of lever I52 is pivotally connected to a rod I53 which supportsa gear rack I54 meshing with a gear I56 mounted on a horizontal shaftI58 supported by suitable bearings attached to the main frame of themachine. On each end of shaft I58 is secured a pulley I69 to which isattached one end of a cable I62, the other end of each cable beingsecured to a pin setter table guide shoe 86, mentioned heretofore.

A balance spring I64 encircling shaft I58 (Figure 3) is provided tocounterbalance the weight of the pin setter table T. One end of springI64 is anchored to the frame of the mechanism; the other end is attachedto a flange I66 secured to shaft I58. Pin setter table T carries a camwedge I68 (Figure 2) employed for the purpose of closing the pin settertable limit switch 298 when the table reaches its lowermost or pinengaging and lifting position.

Main cam shaft 28 mounts a cam I16 provided with cam tracks on bothfaces. The cam track on one side is tracked by a cam follower I12 on camlever I14 which operates the ball lift or cradle L. The cam track on theother side is tracked by a cam follower I16 on cam lever I18 whichoperates the pit or pin lifting apron A. Apron A and ball lift L are ofthe same general construction and operation as disclosed in copendingapplication, Serial No. 425,318, filed J anuary 1, 1942 by Gottfried J.Schmidt, now Patent 1 2,389,643, issued November 27, 1945. The front endof the pit apron A is elevated by means of a pair of cables I80, each ofwhich is secured to a pulley I82 mounted adjacent an end of horizontalshaft I84 which is oscillated by means of a gear I86 (Figure 1) actuatedby a reciprocating gear rack I88, the free end of which is pivoted oncam lever I18. The rear'end of the pit apron A is wound upon acylindrical roller I99 mounted on a shaft I92. The latter is oscillatedby means of a sprocket I94 and a chain I96 driven by a sprocket I98mounted on the oscillating shaft I84. The ball cradle L is also raisedand lowered by a pair of cables 200, each of which is secured to apulley 202, both of which are mounted on a horizontal shaft 204,oscillated by means of a gear 266 which is actuated by a reciprocatinggear rack 298 connected to the free end of cam lever I14.

Secured to main cam shaft 28 is a cam 2 I I] having cam tracks 2II, 2I3provided on its opposite faces. The cam track 2II on one side is trackedby a cam fol1ower'2l2 pivotally mounted on cam lever 2I4 which isresponsible for the movement of guard G at proper times during theoperation of the machine to and from the alley. The cam track 2I3 on theother side of cam 2H) is engaged by a cam follower 2I6 on cam lever 2I8which actuates the sweep mechanism of the machine. The guard as well asthe sweep are of the same general construction as disclosed in Rundellpatent, No. 2,250,503, issued July 29, 1941. The guard G consistschiefly of a guard plate 220 (Figure 1) attached at each end to an arm222, each of which is mounted on a bracket 224 one of which is pivotedto a stud 226 held by a bearing bracket 228 (Figure2) while the other ispivoted to a short shaft 236 also held by a bearing 228. Both brackets224 are connected to each other by a tie bar 232 to which are fastenedtwo cables 233, which in turn are connected to a common third cable 234which runs over an idler or guide pulley 235 and is anchored to the freeend of cam lever 2I4. Guide pulley 235 is loosely mounted on ahorizontal shaft 236 supported by suitable bearings secured to the frameof the machine.

Sweep F (Figure 1) is interconnected with the guard G and consists of asweep board 231 which at eachend is supported by a bracket 238 each ofwhich is pivoted to a stud projecting from an endless chain 239, thechains being reciprocated by sprockets 246, 240a mounted on horizontalshaft 24I supported by a pair of suitable bearing brackets attached toarms 222. Both chains 239 run over idler sprockets 242 pivotally mountedon studs, each held by one end of a link 243 while the other end of eachlink is pivoted to a suitable supporting bracket 244 secured to theframe of the machine. Shaft MI is oscillated by means of a sprocket 246(Figures 1, 2 and 3) mounted on shaft 239 to which one of the sweep armbrackets 224 is pivoted (Figure 2). To shaft 230 is furthermore secureda sprocket 241 which through a chain 248 is driven by a sprocket 249mounted on the horizontal shaft 236. The latter carries a gear 250 thehub of which is provided with a solenoid operated sweep control clutchK3 by means of which the gear 250 is engaged with or disengaged from theshaft 236, thereby providing means for making the sweep inoperative whena pin or pins walk or move out of the range of the descending respottingcups I I2 of the pin setter table T. Gear 250 is oscillated by a gearrack 25I the free end of which is pivoted to the heretofore mentionedcam lever 2 I 8.

All cam levers I24, I52, I14, 2M and 2I8 are loosely mounted on the camlever supporting shaft 89. To the main cam shaft 28 is also secured asprocket 252 which by means of a chain 253 drives a sprocket 254 securedto the electrical control cam shaft 255 on which all electrical controlcams 428, 362, 406, 34I, 334, 354, 344, 332 and 4M (Fig. 4) are mounted.These cams, as well as their electrical contact fingers are enclosed ina housing H (Figures 2 and .3). Sprockets 252 and 254 driving thecontrol cam shaft 255 are a lzth 2 ratio, i. e., for every tworevolutions of the main cam shaft 28, the control cam shaft 255 makesonly one revolution. Or in other words.

The electrical equipment which I embody in the machine and which makesup the control is formed of commercial relays, switches, parts andaccessories readily available to the trade. For ease and simplicity indesign and manufacture, the relays are contained in a relay box 53mounted on a cross frame member (Figure 2). The wires which connect therelays and switches in the wiring diagram are enclosed in suitableconduits such as conduit II projecting from box 8.

The operation of the machine can best be appreciated by a reference tothe wiring diagram shown in Figure 4. The description covers the severalpossibilities resulting from throwing the allotted number of balls perframe.

At the start of playing all relays and solenoids I I are in releasedposition; only the driving motor and vacuum pump are running and controlpower is applied between wire 303 and ground.

First ball, one or more pins remain standing The ball dropping into pit5 effects a closing of switch 300 connected by wire 30! to a delayedclosing relay 302. This type of relay preferably is provided in order toallow a few seconds, say three or four, before the ball and pin handlingmechanisms begin operating. In this way any pin movement on the alley orgutters has ceased; and all pins standing are at rest before the machine operation starts and table T moves down.

At the end of the delay period contact 334 closes, completing a circuitfrom line 303, through normally closed contact 3481), manually closedswitch 335, wire 3% and normally closed contact 432a, energizing relay368, thereby closing contact 368a which through wire 3!!! energizessolenoid 3I2 controlling the operation of clutch K1. Clutch K1 may be ofthe well known Bliss type. The energization of solenoid 3| 2 causesarmature 5M to swing lever 5I6 out of engagement with clutch actuatingarm 5! whereupon gear 24 is coupled to shaft 22 and the machineoperation is started.

Following the actuation of clutch K1, rotation of cam shaft 255 of thecontrol mechanism causes cam 362 to close normally open contact 362awhich shunts contacts 304 and 34Gb and holds in clutch K1 until the endof the cycle. Guard G is moved to operative position adjacent the alley,and ball cradle L removes the ball from the pit and delivers it torunways 6, 'I for return to the player. Pin transfer device N isoperated by cams I4, I28 to deliver ten pins from magazine M to settersI I0.

Rotation of main cam shaft 28 causes table T to be lowered into pinlifting position for lifting and resetting standing pins inon-or-off-spot position. Movement of the table to this position causesfirst of all the closing of table limit switch 298, through theengagement of cam I68 (Figure 2) with cam follower 297. This energizesrelay 366, closing contacts 336a and 3660 and opening contact 3651) aslong as th table is in lowered position. Continued downward movement ofthe table causes the heads of the standing pins to engage switchactuating members 320 (see Figure 7) which are raised in respotting cupsH2 so that contacts 32! engage switch members 323 and close one or morecircuits 322-324 in which are connected ten multi-contact locking-inrelays 325. Each of th relays 325 which is energized as a result of thepresence of a standing pin closes a relay hold-in circuit through relaycontact 326b and contact 36201 of cam 362 and thereby maintains contacts326a and 326a closed. The closing of each of contacts 326a lights asignal lamp corresponding to the position of the particular pinremaining standing. These relays 326 remain locked in for the remainderof the cycle, after which the light circuits are broken bydeenergization of relays 326 through the opening of cam contact 362a,and the light or lights, as the case may be, are extinguished.

In order to insure that neither the strike nor spare signal lamp shallbe lighted inadvertently or at the wrong time when pins remain standingafter the first or second ball of a frame is thrown, there is provided acircuit-controlling relay 328 which is connected by wire 330 in acircuit controlled by ten contacts 3260 in multiple, so that wheneverany of the relays 326 are energized, closing of a contact 3260 energizesrelay 328 breaking normally closed contact 32811 and interruptingcircuit 330 to strike and spare cam contacts 332L and 332R operated bycam 332.

1 When table T is located in pin engaging and lifting position adjacentthe alley, cam 33 on shaft 255 closes contact 334R, which closes circuit336, thereby energizing solenoid 338 which opens valve 339 and createssuction in conduits l2!) connecting the several respotter units H2 whichgrip any standing pins. In the meantime continued rotation of shaft 255causes strike-spare cam 332 to close contact 332R, but since contact328a is open, a strike control impulse is prevented. The table T startsits upward movement lifting the pins gripped by units H2 and continuedrotation of cam 332 opens contact 332R.

While table T dwells above the alley, fallen pins or deadwood are swepttherefrom by sweep F. The pin transfer device N is operated to deliverten pins from magazine M to the spotter cups I I0, and substantiallysimultaneously therewith solenoid 340 is energized as the result of therotation of cam 34I on shaft 255 which closes contact 34 IR.

As described hereinabove, pin carrying grippers 68 of the transferdevice N are moved by cam I28 back and forth once each cycle of themachine. The up and down movement which 10- cates grippers 68 inposition to grip and remove pins from magazine M, and after horizontalmovement to delivery position above table T, lower and deliver the pinsto spotters H6, is controlled by cam I4 loose on shaft 28 and clutch K4,which is similar in operation to clutch K1.

Since shaft 28 is driven by gears 24 and 26 from shaft 22, when clutchK1 is operating, shaft 28 is rotated. As shown diagrammatically inFigure 4 clutch K4 is already in engagement and cam I4 is rotating whenclutch K1 is engaged as a result of the closing of switch 302 by a ballarriving in the pit. Therefore, after the first ball of a frame isrolled and in the first cycle of the machine in a normal two ball frame,solenoid 366, which is responsible for the engagement of clutch K4, isnot energized. This means that shaft 28 continues to rotate until clutchoperating arm or dog 3I3 engages the throw-out arm of lever 3M therebydisengaging clutch K4 and stopping the rotation of cam 16 on shaft 28.When the next ball of the same frame is rolled clutch K1. remainsdisengaged until, as the result of the rotation of shaft 255, cam 354closes contact 353R which makes a circuit pulling in relay 36E, closingcontacts 36m,

thereby energizing solenoid 336. This results in I construction and 11the disengagement of the throw-out arm of lever 3l6 with clutch dog 3E8.Hence clutch K4 again is engaged and cam 14 is rotated.

Clutch K4 is in engagement at the time the machine operation startsshortly after the arrival of the first ball of a frame in pit 5 and thedesired up and down movement of grippers 68 takes place to remove pinsfrom magazine M and place them in setter cups H0. As soon as thegrippers have delivered pins to the spotter and have moved upwardly andclear thereof, clutch K4 is thrown out, as solenoid 36B is notenergized, and further up and down movement of frame N and grippers 68carried thereby ceases until another set of pins is to be transferredfrom magazine M to setter cups ill). Table T is not turned in thiscycle, as cam 14 remains stationary for the remainder of this cycle.This is because during this cycle earn 354 does not close contact 354R.Hence relay 36! and solenoid 3B0 remain disengaged, and clutch K4, whichcouples cam 74 to shaft 28, remains disengaged, as explained above.

As described herein above, sweep F is actuated cyclically to clear thealley of fallen pins. Apron A removes any pins in the pit and deliversthem into chamber 3 for distribution by pin elevator E and conveyormechanism C, which in turn conveys the pins one by one, and insuccession between spirals 38 of magazine M where they are alignedawaiting delivery by transfer N to spotters H0.

As a result of the removal of pins and balls from the pit 5, pit switch3% opens, starting delay relay 382 is deenergized and resets for thenext ball. The adjustment of switch 353 is such that preferably if thereare less than three pins in the pit, the removal of the ball effects aresetting of relay 362.

Removal of a set of pins. from magazine M by transfer N allows pinswitch arms 66 to close contacts 342. Rotation of shaft 255 causes cam344 mounted thereon to close contact 344R and through contact 353d and acircuit 346 including contacts 342 connected in multiple, relay 348 isenergized to close contact 348a, thereby energizing solenoid 352 whichactuates clutch K2, which may be of the Bliss type, to start theconveying mechanism for transferring pins from chamber 3 and deliveringthem into magazine M between spirals 38. As each pin is located inproper position in the magazine, it moves a switch arm 66 which opensone of the contacts 342 in the multiple circuit. When a predeterminednumber of pins, eleven in the embodiment illustrated, has been fed intothe magazine, all contacts 342 are opened, the circuit is broken, clutchK2 is thrown out, and the conveying or magazine loading mechanism,including conveyors C and E and means for rotating spirals 38, isincapacitated. The magazine is then filled with pins awaiting the nextremoval of a set of pins by transfer N.

As the machine operations continue, the table T moves downwardly to pinresetting position and resets pins in on oroff spot positions. The tableT carries a full set of pins in spotters Hi]. As soon as the table Treaches pin resetting position, further rotation of cam 334 on shaft 255opens contact 334R which deenergizes solenoid 338 of suction valve 339thereby closing suction conduit I20 and effecting the release of pinsfrom respotter cups H2 and their delivery in proper on or off-spotposition on the alley.

At substantially the same time, one of the high portions on cam 34l onrotating shaft 25 mQves out of engagement with contact 3MB. therebybreaking the circuit through solenoid 343 which closes valve 343 andcuts off suction in spotters H0. The operation of the machine continuesuntil table T moves back to its normal rest position where it dwellsabove the alley awaiting the throwing of the next ball of the frame. Ascam 362 returns to its zero position (Figure 1), normally open contact362a returns to open position, thereby breaking the circuit throughsolenoid 312 which effects a disengagement of clutch K1; the severalsignal lamp relays 325 and relay 328 are deenergizecl and accordinglyall signal lamps are extinguished. Cam 344 opens contact 344R,deenergizing relay 348 which breaks the circuit formed by contact (Mildto solenoid 352. With the deenergization of solenoid 352, clutch K2 isthrown out and further movement of the pin distributing conveyormechanism is interrupted.

Second ball-no spare The initial operation of the machine caused by thesecond ball dropping into the pit is the same as described above. Thetable is moved down to test for standing pins. In the condition of playassumed since a pin or pins remain standing, selected signal lamps arelighted by the energization of corresponding signal lamp relays 326, asdescribed above.

Only one or more of pin position lights |-l0 is lighted at this time.Spare light cannot be lighted because, although rotation of cam 332causes contact 332L to close, relay 328 is energized and since contact323a is open an impulse to spare lamp relay 3113 is prevented.

Since in the two ball game discussed herein the second ball is the lastallotted for a frame, resetter cups H2 remain inoperative. Due to thefact that control cam shaft 255 makes onehalf revolution for eachcomplete revolution of main cam shaft 28, contact 334R is open whentable T moves down and locates resetter cups I I2 in pin grippingposition adjacent the alley. Therefore, at this time circuit 336including solenoid 333 is not closed, and valve 339 remains closed;suction is not cut into respotter units H2, and table T travelsupwardly, after which any pins standing and any fallen pins are sweptfrom the alley into the pit 5 by sweep F. Contact 332L which had beenclosed momentarily by the high portion of cam 332 on rotating shaft 255opens.

While the table was being lowered to the alley and raised again, pintransfer grippers 53 moved horizontally thereabove under the action ofcam I28, as described hereinabove. Grippers 68 are not operative todeliver a set of pins tothe spotters H0 because clutch K4 disengaged cam14 from cam shaft 28 during the previous cycle, and also spotters I I8are already filled with pins. The ball has been returned to the playeras described above, and the pins in pit 5 have been removed therefrom byapron A and discharged into chamber 3 for return to magazine M byconveyors E and C. Pit switch 390 returns to open position, as describedabove, awaiting the next ball of the game which is the first ball of thenext frame.

Continued rotation of control cam shaft 255 results in closing contact34|R which energizes solenoid 340 and opens suction valve 343 creatingsuction in conduits H6 connecting spotter cups H0. In this manner pinsare firmly held in spotters H0 during subsequent rotation of table T.

Continued rotation of cam 334 results in closing contact 334 R, and theenergization of solehold 338 which opens suction valve 339. Thisoperation creates suction in conduits I20 and causes respotter cups H2to be locked against movement or shifting on table T while the latter isturned through 180 in placing the set of pins held in spotter cups H3 onthe alley, and while the table T is swung back to pin receivingposition. Following the opening of valve 339, cam 354 closes contact354R, which through contact 350e, wire 356 and noramlly closed switch358 energizes relay 33| and closes contact 36|a thereby actuatingsolenoid 360 allowing clutch K4 to reengage cam 74 with cam shaft 28 andturn table T through 180 prior to its second downward movement. Themechanism for holding respotter cups H2 by suction against lateralmovement on table T when the latter is turning, can be similar inconstruction and operation to that shown and described in Rundell Patent2,383,017. Since this specific mechanism forms no part of the invention,further showing and description are omitted in the interest of brevity.

When table T reaches pin delivery position relative to the alley,contact 3MB opens, and the pins held in spotters I H] ar released andplaced in playing arrangement on the alley. This is effected by adeenergization of solenoid 340 and the resulting closing of suctionvalve 343.

After ten pins have been placed in playing arrangement on the alley, themachine operation continues until the end of the cycle. After the tablereaches its upper position, it turns 180 in reverse direction. Camcontact 362a, as shown in Figure 4, opens, releasing clutch K1, thesignal lamp relays 326 and relay 328. At the end of the cycle theposition of cam 334 allows contact 334R to open, thereby deenergizingsolenoid 338 which closes valve 333 and releases the respotter units II2. Cam contact 344R, however, remains closed permitting the pinelevating conveyor to reload magazine M. When the required number ofpins has been delivered, all switches 342 are opened, releasing relay343 and solenoid 352, disengaging clutch K2 and stopping conveyors E andC and rotation of spirals 38.

Second ball-spare The operation is generally the same as in the case ofthe second ball when pins remain standing, with certain exceptions. Inthis case table T moves downwardly after the second ball is thrown, butsince all pins have been knocked down, all signal lamps I-l3 remainextinguished. All contacts 326a remain open and relay 32B is notenergized so that contact 328a remains closed.

Movement of table T to its down position results in the closing ofcontact 3660, as described above. Contact 332L is closed by cam 332 andthrough contact 350a, contact 3660 of relay 366, contact 3331) of relay36B, relay 310 is energized and contacts 310a and 31% are closed. Whencontact 3'l0a is closed, spare light SP is lit and the player isappraised visibly of the results obtained by the second ball of aparticular frame. Contact 3101) is a lock-in contact for relay 310 sothat light SP remains lit until the end of the cycle.

Other operations of the machine are the same. A new set of pins isplaced on the alley and further play is in order as for the first ballof the next frame.

Strike In this case all pins are knocked down by the 14 first ball of aframe, and a new set of ten pins is placed on the alley awaitingdelivery of the first ball of the next succeeding frame. The initialoperations resulting from th first or strike ball falling into pit 5 arethe same as described above.

In the sequence of operations table T moves downwardly, cam I68 carriedthereby closes limit switch 298 and energizes relay 3%, momentarilyclosing contact 366m Since no pins are standing, switches 320 which actas detecting means, are not closed, and lamp relays 326 are notenergized. So also relay 323 is not operated.

Rotation of timing cam 332 causes contact 332R to close. Contact 323abeing closed, current flows through wire 3353', relay 353 is energizedthrough contacts 332R and 33%, wire 372, and contact 366a. Relay 353 isan alternating relay such as a ratchet relay or equivalent so that eachtime it is energized it causes a shifting of contacts 350a-f, inclusive,back and forth from full line positions indicated diagrammatically inFigure 4 to dotted line positions.

Relay 350 may be of any suitable conventional type, such as SeriesS-l25, manufactured by Guardian Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago,Illinois. The relay selected for illustration is shown diagrammaticallyin Figure 4. It consists of a suitably mounted shaft 373 having fixedthereto a six-sided cam 383 and a twelve tooth ratchet 382. A pawl 336is pivotally mounted on a lever 388 connected to armature 393 of relay350. A spring 334 urges pawl 388 into engagement with the teeth of theratchet 382. Spring 392 returns lever 388 and armature 390 to theposition shown in Figure 4 after each operation of relay 350.

Running on cam 333 is a cam follower 394 on one arm of hell crank lever393; the other arm of which is pivoted to a link 3533 pivotallyconnected to shiftable contacts 353% It will be evident that for eachmovement of ratchet 382, cam 380 is turned to engage follower 334 witheither a high portion 335 or a low portion 33'! of cam 380. Therefore,this operation results in a shifting and holding of contacts 333%), inshifted positions.

The shifting of contact 35319 to dotted line position (Figure 4)interrupts the current through the coil of relay 350 thereby releasingarmature 390 almost as soon as it was pulled up. The momentary closingof contact 3539 by this movement of armature 393 energizes relay 368from the live side of the power supply through contacts 4l4a, contact3539', and wire 376, the other side of coil 368 being connected toground through contact 4| 2d. Relay 368 looks in through its holdingcontact 3680 and cam contact 332a till the end of the cycle, lightingstrike lamp ST through contact 338a. The opening of contact 36% preventsenergizing of spare lamp relay 310 which would otherwise result from theshifting, of contact 353a to dotted line position.

The shifting of contact 3530 to dotted line position prevents theopening of respotting suction valve 333 at this time.

The remainder of this cycle is the same as for any second ball. Contacts353a to 353], having shifted to dottedline position all functionscontrolled by them are now also controlled by the closing of the leftcontacts 33211, 3331,, 344L and 354L by the second ball halves of theirrespective cams. Clutch K4 remains engaged as relay 36! is energizedthrough cam contact 3531: and relay contact 35%. The table turns and tennew pins are set on the alley. At the end of this cycle the relaycontacts 350a-f remain in dotted line posi-- tion and the operation ofthe next cycle will be auger;

as described above for a. first ball, substituting 3321-, 3341 3451' and354L for 332R, etc.

The next time a strike is made, relay 35B is again energized, returningcontacts 35001-450 to full line positions.

At the start of any first ball cycle (also strike) the loading rack mustbe full as the pin transfer mechanism N will remove ten pins immediatelyafter the start. Therefore, as long as relay 348 is energized,indicating that the loading is not completed, contact 34817 is open andprevents the energizing of relay 308 even after the delayed closingrelay 332 has closed contact 304.

At the start of the second ball cycle, there are already ten pins in thespotting cups. Cam contact 3Mv (R or L) being open, relay 348 isreleased, contact 3&3!) is closed and the machine can start as soon asthe delay period is up.

Off-center pins (full downward movement of table T prevented) (firstball of a. frame) It is well known that pins have a tendency to walk ormove as the result of being hit or moved by the ball or other pins whenor after the ball travels over the alley. On quite infrequent occasionsa pin may move so far with reference to its spotted position that itcannot be picked up and reset. When this condition occurs, table T inmoving towards the alley comes into engagement with the handle end ofsuch abnormally located pin or pins and its downward travel is arrested.In such case, switch 238 cannot close. Therefore relay 366 is notenergized and hence contact 365a remains open and contact 3361) remainsclosed.

If this condition occurs on the first ball of a frame, the closing ofcam contact 332R or 332L by cam 332, results in energization of relay400 which closes contact 400a and energizes solenoid 364 therebythrowing out clutch K3, normally continuously operating while themachine is in motion. Clutch IQ is of the same type as clutches K1, K2and K4. In this manner sweep F is. rendered inoperative and cannot sweepstanding pins from beneath table T.

Energization of relay 400 also closes contact 4001) and pulls in relay402, which locks in through its holding contact 332b, and normally opencam contact 362a. Energization of relay 402 opens normally closedcontact 462a which results in the deenergization of solenoid 338 anddisengagement of clutch K1, and a stopping of the machine. Even if themachine should overrun enough to cause cam 332 to rotate an amountsufiicient to open contact 332R, relay 432 remains locked in.

Relay 35%.! cannot be energized because contact 353a is open. Hence,strike lamp relay 368 does not operate either. No score is shown.

While the machine is stopped, all fallen pins can be removed manuallyand thrown in the pit.

Momentarily opening and reclosing manual control switch 335 releasesrelay 402 and energizes relay 338 controlling the main or startingclutch K1 which restarts the machine. As sweep F is disengaged, it isevident that standing pins are not swept from the alley, and the machinecompletes its normal first-ball cycle. The sweep clutch throws inautomatically at the end of the cycle.

Off-center pins (second ball of frame) On the second ball, cam contact332L or R closes under the actuation of cam 332, depending on theposition of cam portions 395 and 331 with respect to cam follower 394.Relay 366 is not pulled in and contact 3660 in the spare light relay(310) circuit is open so that light SP is not lighted. The remainder ofthe cycle is the same as for a normal second ball when standing pinsremain on the alley. Since on a second ball, as previously decribed, thecircuit through cam contacts 332L and R, and relay contacts 35% and 35%,is such that power is applied through contact 350a to contact 3630, andnot through contact 3501) to contacts 365a and 36%, there is nopossibility of relay Q30 being energized even though contact 36Gb isclosed. That is, sweep operates, and removes both standing and fallenpins. The table T sets a new set of pins; the ball is returned to theplaying position, and eleven pins are conveyed to magazine M fordelivery to the setters Iii].

Switch 298 is preferably so located that for a normal cycle ofoperation, relay 3% is energized during the entire time that cam contact3333 or 332L is closed.

Spotter safety mechanism It may happen that because of long use thehandle ends of pins become worn, cracked or split so that such pins canbe handled only with some difficulty. This may result in pins beingimproperly transferred to or held in the spotters I it. Under suchconditions insufficient pins may be transferred to setters it orpossibly such pins might be moved by transfer grippers 38 towardsmagazine M, or even drop from spotters i it when the table is deliveringa set of pins to the alley. Damage or jamming of the machine mightresult The present spotter safety mechanism is designed to prevent anyof the above possibilities from happening and to insure that therequired nu .1- her of pins, usually ten, will always be set on thealley.

Each of the spotters I H] is provided with a normally closed switch N8,the contacts iii) of which are connected in multiple between contact 3MLand relay 332. Therefore, if each spotter H6 is filled with a pin, themultiple circuit is broken and relay W2 is not energized. If on theother hand a single switch remains closed, as where insufficient pinsare transferred to spotters H0 or where a pin drops during turning oftable T, relay 432 is energized and locked in through contact 5322),contact tEZa is broken and relay 308 throws out thereby effecting adisengagement of clutch K1 and the machine stops. After correcting thecause of the failure, the ma chine is restarted by momentarily openingand then closing manual control switch 305.

It should be noted that both contacts S HL and NIH are closed at thesame time by symmetrical cam 3M. This means that contact 34|L is closedonly when spotting suction valve 343 is open and whenever this valve isopen there must be ten pins in the spotters HE.

Guard safety It may happen that a fallen pin may lie in such a positionon the alley as to prevent guard G and sweep F from moving downwardtheir full stroke adjacent the alley after a ball is thrown. In suchcase, limit switch 404 which is normally open when the guard and sweepare down, remains closed. Cam contact 406a is closed by cam 406 and acircuit is made through switch 434 which pulls in relay 532 which islocked in by its own contact 4021); relay 393 is thrown out, clutch K1is disengaged because of the deenergization of solenoid 3I2 and themachine stops. The pin or pins which prevented full movement 17 of theguard and sweep to down position is or are removed by hand. The machineis restarted by opening and closing switch 395 as described above.

Inching 01 jogging mechanism Manually controlled switch 385 mounted atany convenient position on the machine or at any other suitable positionmay be used to inch or jog the machine. Opening and closing switch 305controls the operation of relay 3&8, solenoid M2 and clutch K1 forstopping or starting the machine. As mentioned hereinabove, openingswitch 305 also interrupts the holding circuit of relay 492 andtherefore acts as a reset switch if the machine stops for any of thereasons stated above. If desired, a second pole can be added to switch305 in series with the clutch K2 control so that in this way the loadingmechanism can also be stopped when desired.

Practice ball In order to allow players to roll practice balls withoutpins on the alley, a switch 358 may be inserted in the line 355 to relay35L This prevents engagement of clutch K4 and thereby prevents thesetting of new pins, but allows the machine to operate and return theball to the player.

Foul control According to the American Bowling Congress, certain rulesof play govern when and if a foul is rolled. If a foul is made on thefirst ball, a new set of pins must be placed on the alley, and no scoreis counted. If a foul occurs on the second ball of a two ball game, themachine runs through its normal cycle, but no score for that ball iscounted.

A foul is indicated in any suitable manner, either automatically by anautomatic foul detector which controls the further operation 01" themachine, or by a manually operated indicator and control. In Figure 4there is illustrated a suitable electrically controlled fully automaticfoul indicator and machine control mechanism. This mechanism includes asuitable automatic foul indicator control 466, such as a photoelectriccell operated device located adjacent the head end of an alley so thatany unauthorized movement of a player beyond the foul line results inthe operation of the control. When a foul, therefore, is made a relayM39 is pulled in, momentarily closing a contact Me which makes a circuitthrough normally closed cam contact 3622) to relay H2 which is locked inby contact M21) and cam contact 414a. Contact 412a on being closedby-passes delayed-closing contact 304 as soon as pit switch 308 closesbecause the number of pins standing is of no consequence as ten pinsmust be reset before the next ball, in this case the second ball, isplayed. Normally closed contact 4|2rl opens the circuit on the groundside to all lamp relays preventing any of the lamps from lighting exceptfoul lamp FL. The foul lamp circuit is closed by contact 412i, and thislamp is lighted.

Since a first ball foul is being described, the opening of the lamprelay circuit leaves all contacts 32'60 open and results in an impulseto relay 350, so that in effect the control operates as a strike cycleminus the lighting of strike lamp ST. As previously described, in astrike cycle, when all ten relay contacts 3215c remain open, relay 328is not energized, contact 328a remains closed, and relay 350 isenergized when cam contact 332R (or 332L as the case may be) closes.

18 In this case, the same result is accomplished by the fact that relaycontact llid, being open, prevents the operation of relays 32' Therespotting suction valve 339 operates as in any strike cycle, that is,it does not open until later and any standing or fallen pins are left onthe alley, and swept therefrom by sweep F in the usual manner. Contact4520 connects relay fi-lfi across the coil of relay 350 and hence relay325 is energized along with relay 35s and locked in through its owncontact 4I6a and normally closed contact 4152c. Continued rotation ofcam l M opens contact 594a releasing relay M2 which in turn releasesstep relay 3523; relay did remains locked in. At the end of the cyclerelay did is pulled in through normally closed cam contact 35% andcontact M and locks in through its own contact M811.

Closing of contact llBb energizes relay 352 through contact M622. Relaydid is released when both contacts Mile and 35% are opened. The openingof contact llfib releases relay 353 which has been operated twice duringthis cycle thereby bringing the machine control to second ball position.

In the second ball position, the only diiference from normal operationis that the clutch Ki controlling the operation of cam 74 is engagedbecause the preceding cycle operated as a strike cycle. Since a set ofpins was removed from the magazine, it must be reloaded before thissecond ball cycle is allowed to start. Relay Mil remains locked in andcontact 4l8d holds in the loading clutch K2 until the loading ofmagazine M is completed.

At the beginning of the second cycle, cam 362 opens contact 3621)thereby releasing relay M8.

In case a first ball foul should coincide with a pin far oil-center, itis necessary to by-pass the off-center protection in order to insure theremoval of the pins. This is done by shunting contact ilZa across thetable limit switch 298, causing relay 3% to be energized in spite of theoffcenter pin.

Foul (second ball) It will be noted that foul lamp FL is lighted so longas relay M2 is energized and contact M2 is closed. In case of a foul onthe second ball, only relay H2 is energized which efiects a lighting oflamp FL. The delay relay is shorted and none of the other signal lampsare turned on. Relays M5 and M8 are inoperative because step relay 358is inactive. The cycle in this case continues as for any normal secondball.

Frame counter In order to count the number of frames, a mag- Playedballs signal In order to apprise a player of the number of balls played,there are provided signal lights 424 (first ball), 426 (second ball),respectively, which are lighted in proper sequence. When the ma- 19chine is at rest before the first ball of a frame is rolled, first balllight 424 is lighted through normally closed contact 428a, contact 3'50and normally closed contact 362a. As soon as the machine starts, cam 352opens contact 352a breaking the circuit and the lamp is extinguished.

Between the first and second ball cycles, sec ond ball light 426 goes onthrough normally open contact 4281). After a strike, the first balllight is lighted again through normally open contact 428a, normallyclosed contact 3521), and contact 350 which due to the operation of steprelay 358 has been shifted to the other side.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustratethe invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of thesame. It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details ofthe structure shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowlingalley provided with a pin supporting playing bed, mechanism for removingfallen pins from said alley after the first ball of a frame is thrown,mechanism for removing all fallen and standing pins from said alleyafter the second ball of a frame is thrown, means for returning the ballto the player, means for placing a set of pins on said bed pending thethrowing of the first ball of a frame, electromagnetically operatedmechanism for controlling the operation of said machine in conformitywith the number of pins knocked down by the first ball of a frame forspotting a new set of pins on said alley or respotting any standing pinsthereon, electro-magnetically operated mechanism for controlling theoperation of said machine after the second ball of a frame is rolled tospot a new set of pins on said alley, said two last-named mechanismsincluding a timing cam shaft, a plurality of timing cams mounted on saidshaft, means for rotating said shaft after each ball is thrown, aselectively actuated electric circuit operatively connected with saidcontrol mechanisms, sets of contacts in said circuit constructed andarranged to be operated by selected cams on said shaft for connectingselected contacts with said circuit, a plurality of switches, each ofsaid switches being connected in series with one of said contacts, andan actuating device for operating selected switches for placing saidswitchesinseries with another of said contacts.

2. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine having a movable tablesupporting pin setter and resetting units, means for moving said tableto and from the bed of a bowling alley to set and reset pins thereon andpin handling devices for placing pins in said setter units on saidtable; electro-magnetically operated mechanism for controlling theoperation of said table and devices in conformity with the number ofpins knocked down by the first ball of a frame for spotting a new set ofpins on said alley or respotting any standing pins thereon,electromagnetically operated mechanism for controlling the operation ofsaid table and devices after the last ball of a frame is thrown forspotting a new set of pins on said alley, said mechanisms including atiming cam shaft, a series of timing cams mounted on said shaft, meansfor rotating said shaft a partial revolution for each ball thrown, setsof contacts operated by said cams, a control circuit operativelyassociated with said control mechanisms, a plurality of switches, eachof said switches being connected in series with one of said contacts andconnecting a selected set of contacts into said control circuit, and anactuating device operating selected switches for transferring power fromone set of contacts connected operatively with said first-namedmechanism. through a series circuit connecting said switches and saidother contacts to said second-named mechanism to actuate saidsecond-named mechanism for placing a new set of pins on said alley, if astrike is made on the first ball of a frame.

3. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine having a movable tablesupporting pin setter and resetting units, means for moving said tableto and fromthe bed of a bowling alley to set and reset pins thereon andpin handling devices for placing pins in said setter units on saidtable; electro-magnetically operated mechanism for controlling theoperation of said table and devices in conformity with the number ofpins knocked down by the first ball of a frame for respotting standingpins on said alley bed, electro-lmagnetically operated mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said table and devices after the secondball of" a frame is thrown for spotting a new set of pins on said alleybed, said mechanisms including a timing cam shaft, a series of timingcams mounted on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft one-halfrevolution for each ball thrown, two sets of contacts operated by saidcams and resting on points apart on said cams, a control circuitoperatively associated with said control mechanisms, a plurality ofdouble throw switches each having a pole connected in series with one ofsaid contacts of said sets of contacts, and an actuating device for saiddouble throw switches for breaking the circuit through said one of saidcontacts of said sets of contacts and establishing a series circuitthrough said other contacts of said sets of contacts if a strike is madeon the first ball of a frame, to operate said second-named mechanism andmeans operated by said last-named mechanism for actuating saidfirst-named means for placing a new set of pins on said alley bed.

4. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine having a movable tablesupporting pin setter and resetting units, means for moving said tableto and from the bed of a bowling alley to set and reset bowling pinsthereon, pin handling devices for placing bowling pins in said setterunits on said table, driving means including a. main cam shaft, saidmain cam shaft having cams for actuating said means and said bowling pinhandling devices, electro-magnetically operated mechaniSm forcontrolling the operation of said table for respotting pins standing onsaid bed after the first ball of a frame is rolled, electro-magneticallyoperated mechanism for controlling the operation of said table to placea new set of pins on said alley bed after the last. ball of a frame isthrown or a strike is made, said mechanisms including a timing camshaft, a strike control timing cam on said timing shaft, a tablemovement control cam on said timing shaft, means for rotating saidtiming cam shaft after each ball of a frame is rolled in timed relationwith the rotation of said main cam shaft, selectively operated sets ofcontacts operated by said cams, a selective control circuit operativelyconnecting said control mechanisms, a switch connected to one of each ofsaid contacts of said sets of selected contacts, and an actuating deviceoperative when a strike is made by the first ball of a frame foractuating said switches to break the circuit through said firstnamedcontacts of said sets of contacts, and establish a circuit through saidswitches and other contacts of said sets of contacts, and means operatedthereby for actuating said secondnamed mechanism to control theoperation of said machine, and effect the delivery of a new set of pinsto said alley bed.

5. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting and resettingtable, and means for moving said table to and from said alley to set andreset pins in playing position thereon, electrically operated controlmechanism for controlling the operations of said machine after the firstball of a frame is thrown if any pins remain standing on said alley,electrically operated control mechanism for controlling the operation ofsaid machine to set a new set of pins on said alley after the last ballof a frame is thrown, and electrically operated strike control mechanismincluding detecting means operative in response to the absence of pinson said alley after the rolling of the first ball of a frame fortransferring the operation from said firstnamed mechanism to saidsecond-named mechanism in response to the occurrence of a strike whenthe first ball of a frame is rolled, said first and second-named controlmechanisms comprising a timing cam shaft, a timing cam on said shaft,means for driving said shaft through a predetermined amount of rotationafter each ball of a frame is rolled, and contacts closed by said camand coacting with said detecting means for energizing said strikecontrol mechanism to actuate said secondnamed control mechanism toeffect the delivery of a new set of pins to said alley by said table.

6. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting and resettingtable, pin setters, and pin resetters mounted on said table, suctionconduits connecting said setters and said resetters, anelectro-magnetically operated valve in each of said conduits, means forlowering and raising said table after each ball is thrown, selectiveelectrically operated means for energizing one or both of said valves tocreate suction in said conduits for holding pins in said setters andresetters, said means comprising a timing cam shaft, a circuitconnecting said valve operating means, switches in said circuit, circuitclosing cams on said shaft, including a setting valve operating cam anda resetting valve operating cam, and means for driving said shaft torotate said cams to close said switches, control contacts coacting withsaid switches, means operative in response to the presence or absence ofstanding pins on an alley after the first ball of a frame is rolled, andoperative in response to the last ball of a frame rolled for closingsaid contacts and for selectively closing the circuit to a selectedvalve or valves to operate said valves singly or simultaneously.

7. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley havinga pit at one end thereof, said machine having mechanism for setting andresetting pins on said alley, a machine starting device in said pit,including a switch, a circuit into which said switch is connected, a pinstorage, means for removing pins from said pit and delivering the sameto said storage, and means for returning balls to a player; electricallyoperated control mechanism for controlling the operation of said machineafter the first ball of a frame is thrown if any pins remain standing,to respot said standing pins pending throwing of the next ball of thesame frame, selectively electrically operated control mechanism foreffecting the delivery of a set of pins from said storage to saidsetting mechanism after the first ball of a frame is rolled,electrically operated control mechanism for controlling the operation ofsaid machine to set a new set of pins on said alley after the last ballof a frame is rolled, electrically operated strike control mechanism forsubstantially instantaneously transferring the operation from saidfirst-named mechanism to said second-named mechanism if a strike is madeby the first ball of a frame, said control mechanisms being connectedinto said circuit, a timing shaft, means for driving said shaft duringeach cycle of operation of said machine to actuate said controlmechanisms, a clutch, a shaft driven from said clutch, and meansoperated by the closing of said switch in said pit upon the arrival of aball therein to actuate said clutch and start said machine.

8. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting andresetting table and means for moving said table to and from the playingbed of an alley to set and reset pins thereon after a ball is thrown,electrically operated control mechanism controlling the operation ofsaid machine if less than ten pins are knocked down by the first ball ofa frame, electrically operated mechanism for controlling the operationof said machine after the second ball is thrown for spotting a new setof pins on said alley bed, and electrically operated strike controlmechanism including an alternating relay having a selectively operatedcoil and an actuating member, means operative in response to theoccurrence of a strike for energizing said coil to move said actuatingmember for transferring the operation of said machine from saidfirst-named mechanism to said last-named mechanism, and effecting thedelivery of a new set of pins to said alley by said table if a strike ismade on the first ball of a frame, and means for maintaining said coildeenergized until a strike is again made.

9. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting and resettingtable, and means for moving said table to and from said alley to set andreset pins in playing position thereon, automatically actuatedelectrically operated control mechanism for controlling the operationsof said machine after the first ball of a frame is thrown if anypinsremain standing on said alley, automatically actuated electricallyoperated control mechanism for controlling the operation of said machineto set a new set of pins on said alley after the last ball of a frame isthrown, automatically actuated electrically operated strike controlmechanism for transferring the operation from said firstnamed mechanismto said second-named mechanism in response to the occurrence of a strikeon the first ball of a frame, foul control mechanism, means foroperating said foul control mechanism, and means actuated by saidlast-named means for operating said strike control mechanism to eifectthe delivery of a new set of pins to said alley in response to theoccurrence of a foul when the first ball of a frame is thrown.

10. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setting and resettingtable, and means for moving said table to and from said alley to set andreset pins in playing position thereon, automatically actuatedelectrically operated control mechanism for controlling the operationsof said machine after the first ball of a frame is thrown if any pinsremain standing on said alley, automatically actuated electricallyoperated control mechanism for controlling the operation of said machineto set a new set of pins on said alley after the last ball of a frame isthrown, automatically actuated electrically operated strike controlmechanism for substantially instantaneously transferring the operationfrom said first-named mechanism to said secondnamed mechanism if astrike is made by the first ball of a frame, foul control mechanism, adevice for operating said foul control mechanism, means actuated by saiddevice for operating said strike control mechanism to effect thedelivery of a new set of pins to said alley if a foul is made when thefirst ball of a frame is thrown, and means operatively connected to saiddevice and actuated thereby, for signalling to a player that a foul hasbeen made.

11. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley havingmechanism for removing fallen pins from said alley after the first ballof a frame is rolled, mechanism for removing all fallen and standingpins from said alley after the last ball of a frame is rolled, means forreturning balls to a player, a device for placing pins in playingarrangement on said alley pending the rolling of the first ball of aframe, a respotting device for respotting pins on said alley bed pendingrolling of the second ball of a frame, electrically operated controlmechanism for controlling the operation of said machine after the firstball of a frame is rolled if any pins remain standing on said alley toactuate said respotter device, electrically operated control mechanismfor controlling the operation of said machine to actuate saidfirst-named device to place a new set of pins on said alley after thelast ball of a frame is rolled, electrically operated strike controlmechanism for substantially instantaneously transferring the operationof said machine from said first-named control mechanism to saidsecond-named control mechanism to actuate said first-named device if astrike is made by the first ball of a frame for effecting the deliveryof a new set of pins by said device to said alley pending the throwingof the first ball of the next frame, and means for operating said strikecontrol mechanism to actuate said firstnamed device if a foul is madewhen the first ball of a frame is rolled regardless of the number ofpins remaining standing on said alley to cause said device to set a newset of pins on said alley pending the rolling of the second ball of thesame frame.

12. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley havingmechanism for removing fallen pins from said alley after the first ballof a frame is rolled, mechanism for removing all fallen and standingpins from said alley after the last ball of a frame is rolled, means forreturning balls to a player, a device for placing pins in playingarrangement on said alley pending the rolling of the first ball of aframe, electrically operated control mechanism for controlling theoperation of said machine after the first ball of a frame is rolled ifany pins remain standing on said alley for respotting said standing pinson said alley, electrically operated control mechanism for controllingthe operation of said machine to place a new set of pins on said alleyafter the last ball of a frame is rolled, automatic shifting means forsaid control mechanism, electrically operated strike control mechanismoperated by said shifting means for substantially instantaneouslytransferring the operation of said machine from said first-named controlmechanism to said second-named control mechanism if a strike is made bythe first ball of a frame for effecting the delivery of a new set ofpins by said device to said alley pend-v ing the throwing of the firstball of the next frame, means actuated by said shifting means foroperating said strike control mechanism if a foul is made when the firstball of a frame is rolled regardless of the number of pins remainingstanding on said alley to cause said device to set a new set of pins onsaid alley pending the rolling of the second ball of the same frame, andmeans for causing said strike control mechanism to operate a second timeprior to the operation of said machine subsequent to the rolling of thesecond ball of the same frame.

13. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley havingmechanism for removing fallen pins from said alley after the first ballof a frame is rolled, mechanism for removing all fallen and standingpins from said alley after the last ball of a frame is rolled, means forreturning balls to a player, and a device for placing pins in playingarrangement on said alley pending the rolling of the first ball of aframe; electrically operated control mechanism for controlling theoperation of said machine after the first ball of a frame is rolled ifany pins remain standing on said alley for respotting said standing pinson said alley, electrically operated control mechanism for controllingthe operation of said machine to place a new set of pins on said alleyafter the last ball of a frame is rolled, automatic shifting means forsaid control mechanism, electrically operated strike control mechanismfor substantially instantaneously transferring the operation ofsaidmachine from said first-named control mechanism to said second-namedcontrol mechanism if a strike is made by the first ball of a frame foreffecting the delivery of a new set of pins by said device to said alleypending the throwing of the first ball of the next frame, means actuatedby said shifting means for operating said strike control mechanism if afoul is made when the first ball of a frame is rolled regardless of thenumber of pins remaining standing on said alley to cause said device toset a new set of pins on said alley pending the rolling of the secondball of the same frame, means for causing said strike control mechanismto operate a second time prior to the operation of said machinesubsequent to the rolling of the second ball of the same frame, anannunciator, an electric circuit operatively connecting said annunciatorwith said electrically operated control mechanisms, a plurality ofsignals on said annunciator connected in said circuit and normallydesignating the pins remaining standing after each ball of a frame isthrown, and automatically actuated means for interrupting said circuitand preventing the operation of said signals whenever a foul is madewhen any ball of a frame is rolled.

14. In any automatic bowling pin setting machine having a movable tablesupporting pin setter and resetting units, means for moving said tableto and from the bed of a bowling alley to set and reset pins thereon,pin handling devices for placing pins in said setter units on saidtable, a sweep .for removing fallen and unwanted standing pins from saidalley bed, electro-magnetically operated mechanism for controlling theoperation of said table and devices in conformity with the number ofpins knocked down by the first ball of a frame, electro-magneticallyoperated mechanism for controlling the operation of said table anddevices after the second ball of a frame is thrown, and mechanism forstopping said machine whenever an abnormally ofi-spot pin preventsdownward movement of said table towards said bed, said mechanismincluding an electric control device, automatically actuated means foroperating said device after the first ball only of a frame is rolled, adriving clutch disengaged by the actuation of said device to stop saidmachine, and means controlled by said device for selectivelyincapacitating said sweep.

15. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine having a movable tablesupporting pin setter and resetting units, means for moving said tableto and from the bed of a bowling alley to set and reset pins thereon,pin handling devices for placing pins in said setter units on saidtable, a sweep for removing fallen and unwanted standing pins from saidalley bed, electro-magnetical- 1y operated mechanism for controlling theop eration of said table and devices in conformity with the number ofpins knocked down by the first ball of a frame, electromagneticallyoperated mechanism for controlling the operation of said table anddevices after the second ball of a frame is thrown, mechanism forstopping said machine whenever an abnormally off-spot pin preventsdownward movement of said table towards said bed, said mechanismincluding an electric control device, automatically actuated means foroperating said device after the first ball to the player, mechanism forplacing a set of pins on said bed after the second ball of a frame isrolled and after the occurrence of a strike pending the throwing of thefirst ball of the next frame, mechanism for respotting any pins standingon said bed after the first ball of a frame is rolled pending therolling of the second ball of the same frame, electromagneticallyoperated devices for starting and stopping the operation of saidmechanisms and means, including an operating circuit, two identical setsof cam operated contacts and cams for control ling said devices, eachset of contacts and cams being operative to afford the proper sequentialoperation of said mechanisms and means for alternate first and secondball cycles of said machine, said two sets of contacts being offset oneball-cycle in timing relation to each other, a multiple-poledouble-throw switch for disconnecting one set of contacts, andconnecting the other set of contacts in said circuit for controllingsaid devices, and automatically operated means for throwing said switchonce for each strike rolled.

18. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowlingalley provided with a pin supporting playing bed, means for removballonly of a frame is rolled, a driving clutch disengaged by the actuationof said device to stop said machine, means controlled by said device forselectively incapacitating said sweep, and manual means for restartingsaid machine in its normal cycle of operations pending delivery of thenext ball of the frame.

16. In a bowling pin setting machine, mechanism for setting andresetting pins in playing positions on a bowling alley, electricallyoperated control mechanism for controlling the operations of saidmachine after the first ball of a frame is thrown if any pins remainstanding on said alley, electrically operated control mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said machine to set a new set of pins onsaid alley after the last ball of a frame is thrown, electricallyoperated strike control mechanism for transferring the operation fromsaid first-named mechanism to said second-named mechanism if a strike ismade by the first ball of a frame, foul control mechanism, meansoperated by said foul control mechanism for actuating said strikecontrol mechanism to effect the delivery of a new set of pins to saidalley if a foul is made when any ball of a frame is thrown, a deviceoperatively connected with said foul mechanism for counting the numberof times ten pins are placed on said alley, and means operativelyconnected with said foul control mechanism for incapacitating saiddevice in response to the occurrence of a foul when any ball but thelast ball of a frame is thrown.

17. In an automatic bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowlingalley provided with a pin supporting playing bed, means for removingfallen pins from said alley after the first ball of a frame is thrownand for removing all fallen and standing pins from said alley after thesecond ball of a frame is thrown, means for returning the ing fallenpins from said alley after the first ball of a frame is thrown and forremoving all fallen and standing pins from said alley after the secondball of a frame is thrown, means for returning the ball to the player,mechanism for placing a set of pins on said bed after the second ball ofa frame is rolled and after the occurrence of a strike pending thethrowing of the first ball of a frame, mechanism for respotting any pinsstanding on said bed after the first ball of a frame is rolled pendingthe rolling of the second ball of the same frame, electromagneticallyoperated devices for selectively starting and stopping the operation ofeach of said mechanisms and means, including an operating circuit, twosets of cam operated contacts and associated contact operating cams forcontrolling the operation of said devices, a multi-pole double-throwswitch for disconnecting one set of said contacts and connecting theother of said sets of contacts in said circuit, and automaticallyoperated means for actuating said switch in response to the occurrenceof a strike or a first ball foul.

19. The invention defined in claim 18 includ ing a main cam shaft, a camshaft for said contact operating cams, and means for driving saidlast-named cam shaft in timed relation with said main cam shaft.

WILLIAM C. BRCEKHUYSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,626,446 Bishop Apr. 26, 19271,907,171 Anderson May 2, 1933 2,017,143 Bentz Oct. 15, 1935 2,250,503Rundell July 29, 1941 2,293,018 Hagquist Aug. 11, 1942 2,294,573 PotterSept. 1, 1942 2,298,718 Nejedly Oct. 13, 1942 2,338,733 Patterson et a1Jan. 11, 1944 2,361,233 Parra et al. Oct. 24, 1944 2,383,017 RundellAug. 21, 1945 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 13, 1945

